3 takeaways from win over Little Rock
It took more than five minutes for Memphis to score its first points against Arkansas-little Rock Wednesday.
It took more than 15 for the Tigers take their first lead of the game.
And it took the best performance of D.J. Jeffries’ young career, but Memphis shook off a shaky start — and the NCAA’S pregame ruling on James Wiseman — to survive Little Rock 6858 at Fedexforum. The Wiseman-less Tigers improved to 4-1 and will get back on the court at noon Saturday in a home game versus Ole Miss.
Precious Achiuwa led all scorers with 16 points and contributed 12 rebounds for his first career double-double.
Here are three takeaways from the game.
D.J. Jeffries keeps producing
Memphis coach Penny Hardaway continues to refer to the former Olive Branch star as a starter. Hardaway recently pointed out the forward played the second-most minutes on the team through the first four games.
But Hardaway has repeatedly asserted his preference to keep Jeffries coming off the bench. And if Jeffries keeps producing, Hardaway has no reason to alter the game plan.
Jeffries made his coach look good again Wednesday, scoring 15 points in 13 minutes before sitting for a stretch in the second half after picking up his third foul. He fouled out with less than four minutes to go, finishing with 15 points, three rebounds and two blocks.
It was a block by Jeffries and a 3pointer on the opposite end with 5:09 left in the first half that cut Little Rock’s lead to 19-18. Memphis took the lead a short time later and never gave it up.
Isaiah Maurice steps up
The Tigers’ only senior is also the Tigers’ only true center for the next 10 games.
Less than three hours before tip-off, the NCAA announced Wiseman must sit out until the team’s game at South Florida on Jan. 12 because of a violation of NCAA bylaws.
Hardaway plans to use a by-committee approach to filling the void left by Wiseman, who averaged 19.7 points and 10.7 rebounds in three games. In addition to Lance Thomas and Achiuwa helping out at the five spot, Maurice also makes up part of the rotation.
Against Little Rock, he was a big part, scoring three points, pulling down nine rebounds and blocking four shots in 15 minutes.
Alex Lomax: Mr. Clutch
Memphis’ sophomore guard has spent more time in Hardaway’s system than anyone on the team.
Hardaway has referred to Lomax as an extension of him on the court. Maybe that’s where he got the clutch gene.
Lomax was back at it against Little Rock. With Memphis trailing 19-12 late in the first half, Lomax stepped up and hit a 3-pointer with no time on the shot clock. A layup on a fast break with 6:31 left put the Tigers up 52-48, and he had a key assist on pivotal 3-pointer from Tyler Harris that gave Memphis a fivepoint cushion with less than six minutes to go.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.